Lever-actuated high-pressure gas tap adjustable to different bottlenecks

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a tap controlling the dispensing of a pressurized fluid, particularly a gas, comprising a valve body ( 1 ) that has an axis (XX) and is provided with an internal passage ( 10 ) for the fluid, which extends from an inlet port ( 8 ) to an outlet port ( 9 ), a fastening base ( 12 ) which has an axis (XX), coaxially supports the inlet port ( 8 ) of the internal passage ( 10 ), and the outer periphery of which is threaded, an outlet connection ( 4 ) which has an axis (BB) and supports the outlet port ( 9 ) of the internal passage ( 10 ), a manometer ( 5 ) which has an axis (AA) and the pressure-metering means of which is connected to the internal passage ( 10 ), an engaging member ( 11 ) which is disposed between the manometer ( 5 ) and the fastening base ( 12 ), and a lever ( 2 ) which pivots around an axis (YY) that runs perpendicular to the axis (XX) and cooperates with at least one valve ( 33 ) that acts upon the internal passage ( 10 ) such that the fluid can circulate or is prevented from circulating from the inlet port ( 8 ) to the outlet port ( 9 ) of the internal passage ( 10 ). The inventive tap is characterized by the fact that the height (H 1 ) between the base of the engaging member ( 11 ) and the axis (BB) of the connection ( 4 ) ranges between 60 and 75 mm while the height (H 3 ) between the base of the engaging member ( 11 ) and the axis (YY) of the lever ( 2 ) ranges between 50 and 110 mm. Also disclosed is a gas container comprising such a tap.

On the one hand there are taps with integrated regulators which comprisea lever for controlling the opening or closing of the valve which allowsor prevents the gas contained in the bottle to flow to the outside and,on the other hand, taps without a regulator, which are able to be usedin a central pressure-regulating station for example, but with anoperating lever and optionally a manometer for reading the pressure ofthe gas contained in the bottle.

If a tap with an integrated regulator justifies the use of a specificprotective cap or cowling, which protects the fragile components, allowsaccess to the valve (on/off) and to the device for regulating theexpansion pressure, does not interfere with the reading of themanometers and/or allows a guarantee seal to be fitted, then a singletap, intended to replace taps of the handwheel type for example, doesnot really justify the costly replacement of existing taps.

In a conventional use of an oxyacetylene station, an oxygen bottle andan acetylene bottle are grouped together in a trolley or against a walland fixed by a chain, and it must be possible to read the manometer,fasten the regulator, adjust the regulator and read the manometers ofthe regulator without difficulty and without risk.

However, the oxygen bottle is generally higher than the acetylene bottlewith the result that access to the tap of the acetylene bottle isdifficult on the oxygen bottle side and impossible on the wall side. Anadditional constraint lies in the fact that it is desirable for reasonsof production economy of scale for the taps of the various bottles to beas similar as possible, which leads to the standardization of theircomponents.

In the likewise conventional use of bottles connected by a line andsupplying a centralized regulating device for example, the bottles areplaced side by side against a wall and it must be possible to fit andremove the connection hoses, actuate the lever, and read the manometerof the tap without being obstructed either by the caps or by theadjacent bottles.

The taps are generally designed to be machined on transfer machines inwhich it is preferable for all the axes to be orthogonal. Thisarrangement has the advantage of being more economic in production termsbut limits the layout possibilities for the components.

The taps of extinguishers which are commonly equipped with a manometerand with a lever are not covered by a cap and do not receive aregulator.

In the field of industrial gases, there are no taps with a lever.

The problem which has been set was therefore to find an organization ofthe components of a tap with a lever and with a manometer compatiblewith caps already existing on the bottles.

The tap/cap assembly must remain secure and convenient both duringtransportation and filling of the bottle and also during use, which maylead to a plurality of bottles being grouped side by side and oftenalong a wall.

The solution of the invention consists of a tap with a lever adjustableto different bottle caps, in which the relative arrangements of thecomponents accessible to or visible by the user, namely the lever, themanometer and the inlet/outlet connector, solve the problem mentionedabove.

The invention thus consists of a tap for a pressurized gas container forcontrolling the dispensing of a pressurized fluid, in particular a gas,comprising:

-   -   a tap body of axis (XX) comprising an internal passage for the        fluid, extending between an inlet orifice and an outlet orifice,    -   a fastening base, of axis (XX), threaded at its external        periphery and coaxially bearing the inlet orifice of the        internal passage,    -   an outlet connector of axis (BB) bearing the outlet orifice of        the internal passage,    -   a manometer of axis (AA) whose pressure take-off is connected to        the internal passage,    -   a mounting grip situated between the manometer and the fastening        base,    -   a lever pivoting about an axis (YY) perpendicular to the        axis (XX) and cooperating with at least one valve arranged on        the internal passage in such a way as to allow or to prevent the        circulation of the fluid in said internal passage from the inlet        orifice toward the outlet orifice,    -   characterized in that the height (H1) between the base of the        tighening grip and the axis (AA) of the manometer is between 27        and 35 mm, the height (H2) between the base of the tighening        grip and the axis (BB) of the connector is between 60 and 75 mm,        and the height (H3) between the base of the tighening grip and        the axis (YY) of the lever is between 50 and 110 mm.

Depending on the particular case, the tap of the invention may compriseone or more of the characteristics below:

-   -   the height (H4) between the base of the tighening grip and the        top of the body is between 80 and 120 mm;    -   the height (H1) is around 30 mm, the height (H2) is around 65        mm, the height (H3) is around 95 mm and/or the height (H4) is        around 105 mm;    -   the axis (XX) of the body and the axis (BB) of the connector are        perpendicular;    -   the angle (A1) between the plane passing through the axis (AA)        of the manometer and through the axis (XX) and the plane passing        through the axis (CC) of the lever and through the axis (XX) is        between 75° and 105°, preferably around 90°;    -   the angle (A2) between the plane passing through the axis (AA)        of the manometer and through the axis (XX) and the plane passing        through the axis (BB) of the connector and through the axis (XX)        is between 0 and 45°, preferably around 30°;    -   the lever cooperates with a valve via a movable rod acting on        the valve;    -   the lever pivots about the axis (YY) between at least one rest        position in which the valve rests against the seat so as to        prevent any exiting of fluid through the connector, and an        active position in which the valve is spaced apart from the seat        so as to allow the fluid to circulate in the internal passage        and to exit via the connector;    -   the valve is normally pushed back toward a valve seat through        the effect of a spring means when the lever is in its rest        position.

The invention also relates to a pressurized gas container, in particulara gas bottle, characterized in that it comprises a tap and a protectivecowling surrounding all or part of said tap.

The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference tothe appended figures, in which:

FIG. 1 is a representation in longitudinal section of a tap for a gasbottle according to the invention,

FIG. 2 is a side view of the tap of FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 is a view in section along D-D of FIG. 6,

FIG. 4 is a view in section along A-A of the tap of FIG. 2,

FIG. 5 is a plan view of FIG. 2,

FIG. 6 is a view in section along B-B of FIG. 2,

FIG. 7 shows a tap according to the invention covered with a plasticshell 21 serving as a casing for it,

FIG. 8 represents the tap of FIG. 7 inserted into a protective cowling50, the tap being in the rest position (gas turned off),

FIG. 9 represents the tap of FIG. 7 inserted into a protective cowling50, the tap being in the active position (gas turned on).

FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a tap according to the invention havinga lever 2 and manometer 5 and providing good ergonomics both duringfilling and emptying of the bottle to which it is fastened and while thebottle is being handled. This tap is composed of a body 1 comprising amounting grip 11 of square or rectangular cross section, a conicalconnector 12 for sealed fastening to the bottle, a mount 13 supportingthe lever 2 and allowing it to pivot about the pin 21. The lever 2comprises two flat surfaces 22 and 23 which can bear on a pusher 3applied against the lever 2 by a spring 31. The pusher 3 is secured to arod 32. When the lever 2 is in the rest or off position, represented inFIGS. 1 and 2, the assembly formed by the pusher 3 and the rod 32 is ina position in which it is brought closer to the axis (YY). Pivoting thelever 2 such that the surface 23 comes into contact with the pusher 3causes the assembly 3, 32 to move and, as it moves away from the axis(YY), to enter into contact and then move the valve 33, which leaves itsseat 34 and allows the gas to pass through the component 37, from insidethe bottle toward the connector 4. A boss 41 of the body 1, which isbored and provided with an internal thread, makes it possible to fastenand to supply gas to the manometer 5, which indicates the pressure ofthe gas circulating in the tap body 1, and thus also contained in thebottle.

In order to be able to enter a cap, the assembly must pass through acircle with a diameter below 75 mm and be contained in a cylindercentered on the axis of the bottle with a diameter smaller than theinside diameter of the cap, namely 88 mm, and its height H4 must notexceed 110 mm. The double condition of the 75 mm and 88 mm diametersresults from the fact that it is possible to imagine a tap such thatcertain parts are inscribed in a circle of 75 mm diameter, the center ofwhich is not in the axis of the bottle; such a tap is able to be coveredonly partially by the cap if the distance between the center of said 75mm circle and the axis of the bottle is greater than 13 mm.

To allow effective use of the lever 2, access to the connector 4 and thepossibility of reading the manometer 5 when the tap is protected by acowling, the angles and distances below have been determined afternumerous tests carried out under use conditions (fitting a regulator tothe connector 4 without the tail of the regulator striking the manometer5; operating the lever; adjusting the regulator) with differentregulators, under filling conditions and under transportationconditions, with right-handed and left-handed operators of differentsizes.

The possible dimensions corresponding to the criteria set within thescope of the invention are given in the tables below. TABLE 1 MaximumMinimum Preferred Height value (mm) value (mm) value H1 35 27 30 H2 7560 65 H3 110 50 95 H4 120 80 105H1 denotes the height between the base of the tighening grip 11 and theaxis of the manometerH2 denotes the height between the base of the tighening grip 11 and theaxis of the connector 4H3 denotes the height between the base of the tighening grip 11 and theaxis of the lever 21H4 denotes the height between the base of the tighening grip 11 and thetop of the tap

TABLE 2 Offset Maximum Minimum Preferred D1 30 0 0

The offset D1 is that between the axis of the tap (XX) and the axis ofthe connector 4. TABLE 3 Angle Maximum Minimum Preferred A1 105° 75° 90°A2  45°  0° 30°

-   The angle A1 is that between the plane passing through the axis of    the manometer 5 and the plane passing through the axis of the lever    2.-   The angle A2 is that between the plane passing through the axis of    the manometer 5 and the plane passing through the axis of the    connector 4.

In a variant, if the tap is intended particularly for equipping bottlesused in centralized pressure-regulating systems, the connector 4 can betransferred to the back of the tap, in this instance the angle A1becoming 75° (+/−) and the angle A2 becoming 165° (+/−).

1-10. (canceled)
 11. An apparatus which may be used for controlling thedispensing of a pressurized fluid, wherein: a) said apparatuscomprises: 1) a body located about a first axis comprising an internalpassage for said fluid, wherein said passage extends between an inletorifice and an outlet orifice; 2) a fastening base located about saidfirst axis, wherein: (a) said base is threaded at its externalperiphery; and (b) said base is substantially in coaxial connection withsaid inlet orifice; 3) an outlet connector located about a second axis,wherein said outlet connector is substantially in connection with saidoutlet orifice; 4) a manometer means located about a third axis, whereinsaid manometer means comprises a pressure take-off substantiallyconnected to said internal passage; 5) a tightening grip comprising atightening grip base, wherein said tightening grip is substantiallylocated between said manometer and said fastening base; and 6) a leverlocated about a fourth axis, wherein (a) said lever pivots around afifth axis which is substantially perpendicular to said first axis; and(b) said lever cooperates with at least one valve means, located on saidinternal passage, so as to regulate fluid movement between said inletorifice and said outlet orifice; and b) the distance between saidtightening grip base and said third axis of said manometer is betweenabout 27 mm and about 35 mm; c) the distance between said tighteninggrip base and said second axis of said outlet connector is between about60 mm and about 75 mm; and d) the distance between said base of saidtightening grip base and said fifth axis of said lever is between about50 mm and about 110 mm.
 12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein saidpressurized fluid comprises a gas.
 13. The apparatus of claim 11,wherein the distance between said tightening grip base and the top ofsaid body is between about 80 mm and 120 mm.
 14. The apparatus of claim13, wherein: a) said distance between said tightening grip base and saidthird axis is about 30 mm; b) said distance between said tightening gripbase and said second axis is about 65 mm; c) said distance between saidtightening grip base and said fifth axis is about 95 mm; and d) saiddistance between said tightening grip base and said top of said body isabout 105 mm.
 15. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein said first axis andsaid second axis are substantially perpendicular.
 16. The apparatus ofclaim 11, wherein the angle between the plane created by said first axisand said third axis, and the plane created by said first axis and saidfourth axis, is between about 75° and about 105°.
 17. The apparatus ofclaim 16, wherein said angle is about 90°.
 18. The apparatus of claim11, wherein the angle between the plane created by said first axis andsaid third axis; and the plane created by said first axis and saidsecond axis, is less than about 45°.
 19. The apparatus of claim 18,wherein said angle is about 30°.
 20. The apparatus of claim 11, whereinsaid cooperation between said lever and said valve means comprises amovable rod acting on said valve means.
 21. The apparatus of claim 11,wherein said lever pivots between: a) at least one resting positionwherein said valve means prevents an exiting of said fluid through saidconnector; and b) an active position wherein said valve means allowssaid fluid to circulate through said internal passage and exit throughsaid connector.
 22. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein said valve meansis normally maintained in a closed position, when said lever is in saidresting position, by a spring means.
 23. An apparatus which may be usedfor controlling the dispensing of a pressurized fluid, wherein: a) saidapparatus comprises: 1) a body located about a first axis comprising aninternal passage for said fluid, wherein said passage extends between aninlet orifice and an outlet orifice; 2) a fastening base located aboutsaid first axis, wherein: (a) said base is threaded at its externalperiphery; and (b) said base is substantially in coaxial connection withsaid inlet orifice; 3) an outlet connector located about a second axis,wherein said outlet connector is substantially in connection with saidoutlet orifice and wherein said first axis and said second axis aresubstantially perpendicular; 4) a manometer means located about a thirdaxis, wherein said manometer means comprises a pressure take-offsubstantially connected to said internal passage; 5) a tightening gripcomprising a tightening grip base, wherein said tightening grip issubstantially located between said manometer and said fastening base;and 6) a lever located about a fourth axis, wherein (a) said leverpivots around a fifth axis which is substantially perpendicular to saidfirst axis and wherein said lever also pivots between: (1) at least oneresting position wherein said valve means prevents an exiting of saidfluid through said connector; and (2) an active position wherein saidvalve means allows said fluid to circulate through said internal passageand exit through said connector; and (b) said lever cooperates with atleast one valve means, located on said internal passage, so as toregulate fluid movement between said inlet orifice and said outletorifice, wherein said cooperation between said lever and said valvemeans comprises a movable rod acting on said valve means; and b) thedistance between said tightening grip base and said third axis of saidmanometer is about 30; c) the distance between said tightening grip baseand said second axis of said outlet connector is about 65 mm; d) thedistance between said base of said tightening grip base and said fifthaxis of said lever is about 95 mm; e) the distance between saidtightening grip base and the top of said body is between about 80 mm and120 mm; f) the angle between the plane created by said first axis andsaid third axis, and the plane created by said first axis and saidfourth axis, is between about 75° and about 105°; and g) the anglebetween the plane created by said first axis and said third axis; andthe plane created by said first axis and said second axis, is less thanabout 45°.
 24. An apparatus which may be used to contain a pressurizedgas, wherein: a) said apparatus comprises a tap, wherein said tapcomprises: 1) a body located about a first axis comprising an internalpassage for said fluid, wherein said passage extends between an inletorifice and an outlet orifice; 2) a fastening base located about saidfirst axis, wherein: (a) said base is threaded at its externalperiphery; and (b) said base is substantially in coaxial connection withsaid inlet orifice; 3) an outlet connector located about a second axis,wherein said outlet connector is substantially in connection with saidoutlet orifice; 3) an outlet connector located about a second axis,wherein said outlet connector is substantially in connection with saidoutlet orifice; 4) a manometer means located about a third axis, whereinsaid manometer means comprises a pressure take-off substantially inconnection with said internal passage; 5) a tightening grip comprising atightening grip base, wherein said tightening grip is substantiallylocated between said manometer and said fastening base; 6) a leverlocated about a fourth axis, wherein (a) said lever pivots around afifth axis which is substantially perpendicular to said first axis; (b)said lever cooperates with at least one valve means, located on saidinternal passage, so as to regulate fluid movement between said inletorifice and said outlet orifice; and 7) a protective coveringsurrounding at least part of said tap; and b) the distance between saidtightening grip base and said third axis of said manometer is betweenabout 27 mm and about 35 mm; c) the distance between said tighteninggrip base and said second axis of said outlet connector is between about60 mm and about 75 mm; d) the distance between said base of saidtightening grip base and said fifth axis of said lever is between about50 mm and about 110 mm; and e) said tap is substantially covered with aprotective covering.